A sense of mutual distrust has descended upon Amsterdam’s Muslim and Jewish communities. Anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise and Jewish institutions are now guarded by police. Despite this, two activists — one Jewish, and one Muslim — have found common ground, and friendship, though not without personal cost.

Despite a century and a half of effort, people in Amsterdam still treat the canals like a giant trash can. Most of the trash is bikes. Thankfully, the city has a team of bike fishermen. What they use to fish the bikes out is, well, just incredible.

Some African migrants who are seeking asylum in the Netherlands are facing a crisis of their own. This week the Dutch government rejected a request from the United Nations to provide thousands of homeless migrants with basic food and shelter.

Tension between Russia and Ukraine is rising, as each accuses the other of being responsible for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet. Meanwhile, the Netherlands goes into mourning, saying this is their 9/11, since more than half the passengers on the flight were Dutch.

The Sochi Olympics start this week, and the city has a new problem: dogs. They have a solution, but its almost as outrageous as the problem. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, mayors are asking the government for permission to grow weed. And Japanese whalers are clashing with protesters off Antarctica, in today's Global Scan.

Santa Claus arrived in the Netherlands over the weekend, or rather "Sinterklaas," as he's known there. He doesn't come with elves, though. Instead, he has a sidekick called "Black Pete," who wears blackface, red lipstick and a wig. For some, he's a beloved Dutch tradition. For others, "Black Pete" is just plain racist.

Ukraine is in turmoil as political opposition is silenced. One artist chose to illustrate that turmoil, or waiting, with a unique art exhibition that involves women serving in the role of Sleeping Beauties, waiting for the right man to kiss them. If they open their eyes, they agree to marry the man who kissed them.

A sense of mutual distrust has descended upon Amsterdam’s Muslim and Jewish communities. Anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise and Jewish institutions are now guarded by police. Despite this, two activists — one Jewish, and one Muslim — have found common ground, and friendship, though not without personal cost.

Amsterdam already has excellent public transportation options ranging from fast trains to canal boats. Now, in addition to buses, taxis, and bicycles, you can catch a ride on a bright green electric scooter called a Hopper.

An historian from the Netherlands has garnered a great deal of attention for her stunning combination of historic photographs with the same location in modern day. Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse says she's always been fascinated by history -- and this is an outlet for that.